YANKEES (103-59) VS. TWINS (87-76)

SERIES SCHEDULE (Best-of-5)

Game 1: Tonight, Minnesota (Duensing 5-2) at New York (Sabathia 19-8), 6:07

Game 2: Friday, Minnesota (Blackburn 11-11) at New York (Burnett 13-9), 6:07 p.m.

Game 3: Sunday, New York (Pettitte 14-8) at Minnesota

Game 4: Monday, New York at Minnesota, if necessary

Game 5: Wednesday, Minnesota at New York, if necessary

TEAM STATISTICS

(AL Ranking in Parentheses)

Yankees Twins

Avg..283 (2nd) .274 (3rd)

Runs915 (1st) 811 (4th)

RBI881 (1st) 765 (t-5th)

Home Runs244 (1st) 170 (9th)

OBA.362 (1st) .344 (4th)

ERA4.26 (4th) 4.50 (11th)

Strikeouts1,260 (1st) 1,044 (10th)

History: The Yankees and Twins have faced each other twice since 2003, with the Yankees winning both series.

This season: The Yankees swept season series, 7-0.

About the Yankees: The Yankees missed the playoffs last season after qualifying 13 straight times. GM Brian Cashman spent more than $400 million to bring pitchers CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, and first baseman Mark Teixeira into the fold. The three helped carry the Yankees to baseball's best record. Sabathia won 19 games, tied for the best in the majors. Burnett went 13-9, and Teixeira led the AL with 122 RBI. Derek Jeter (.334, .406 OBP) and closer Mariano Rivera (44 saves, 1.76 ERA) put together vintage seasons and third baseman Alex Rodriguez recorded his 12th straight 30-homer, 100-RBI season despite playing in just 124 games due to injury.

About the Twins: The Twins rallied from three games down to Detroit with four to play. Minnesota looked done on Sept. 14 when it was announced that cleanup hitter Justin Morneau would miss the rest of the regular season after suffering a stress fracture in his back, but the Twins rallied around catcher Joe Mauer. Mauer led the majors with a .365 average. Scott Baker posted a career-high 15 wins and closer Joe Nathan (47 saves, 2.10 ERA) has been terrific.

Fun fact: The Yankees' 244 home runs were a franchise record. New York homered in 127 regular-season games and 73 of its 81 games at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees also finished with the most homers in the majors outright for the first time since 1961, when Roger Maris (61) and Mickey Mantle (56) combined for 117.

What to look for: This is the Yankees' series - and postseason - to lose. The Yankees need Sabathia to deliver in Game 1, his first postseason start since debacle against the Phillies in last year's NLDS. Rodriguez also needs to come around in the postseason. The Twins' hopes rest on Mauer, who needs to have a huge series, especially with Morneau out. The Twins are one of the hottest teams going into postseason play.

Predictions: Yankees will win: Conlin (4), Donnellon (3), Hagen (3), Hayes (3), Hofmann (3), Murphy (3).

- Mike Mazzeo